Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Western New England University rallied from sizable deficits in both the 1st and 2nd sets on the way to a 3-1 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) women's volleyball decision over the University of New England on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 22) at the Harold Alfond Forum. Set scores were 26-24, 25-22, 20-25, and 25-20.

The Golden Bears faced a 17-12 disadvantage in the opening frame, but seven straight points shifted momentum in their favor. The Nor'easters managed to pull even at 19-all, 22-all, and 24-all, but two final errors closed the set for the visitors.

UNE had a 13-6 cushion in the 2nd, and moved it to 21-12 later in the session. However, WNEU rattled off eight in-a-row and only surrendered one point the rest of the stanza to go up 2-0 in the match. Of the 13-1 ending stretch, six different players contributed to the 11 positive points for the Golden Bears.

Big Blue never trailed in the 3rd to get on the board. An early lead of as many as six (11-5) was erased by five unanswered from Western New England to force a tie at 14-all, but the hosts chalked 10 of the ensuing 12 points to take command (24-16).

The Golden Bears jumped out quick in the 4th, and following four consecutive points by the Nor'easters to level the set at 6-all, WNEU never looked back. The next five went for the winners (11-6) -- the largest padding prior to the final tally. 

For Western New England (16-9, 5-2 CCC), Carly Skibinski totaled 12 kills and had a hand in seven of the team's 11 blocks. Ashley Matthews added eight kills and 12 digs, while Emmaline Chiodini registered seven kills and 16 digs. Jenna Leuck recorded a double-double with 37 assists and a squad-best 17 digs. Brianna Roath had 12 digs.

UNE (13-9, 3-4 CCC) received a double-double of match-highs from Erika Sawicki with 13 kills and 22 digs. Kristen Falcinelli was right there, as well, posting 45 assists to go with 20 digs. Bekah Mather knocked down 10 kills, and Grayson Szczepaniak accounted for nine more. Maddy Blake and Rene Roggenbuck each had eight kills; Blake was also good for 15 digs, and Roggenbuck notched four blocks. Defensively, Nikki Mathewson and Katie Marsh finished with 12 and 10 digs, respectively.

Both sides start the final week of the regular-season on Tuesday with road dates against Wentworth Institute of Technology (WNEU) and Roger Williams University (UNE).